"We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence. But the way we treat them puts on display the very worst of human behavior." — Graydon Carter, Editor of Vanity Fair

Elephants are grand creatures that have served as a source of wonder and fascination for people throughout the ages. Sadly, this curiosity doesn't always come with the best intentions, as evidenced in the shady zoos and circuses that continue to exploit them.

Both African and Asian elephants are dealing with species-threatening challenges. One third of all Asian elephants are living in captivity — a circumstance that has been shown to significantly degrade their quality of life, both in terms of longevity and mental health. With less than 40,000 individuals worldwide, Asian elephants are also considered an endangered species. Meanwhile, African elephants continue to grapple with the deadly and illegal ivory trade as conservationists observe their numbers on a steady decline.

The state of elephants in our world isn't all bleak, of course. There are plenty of humans in the world who care strongly about their plight and act accordingly. In honor of World Elephant Day, which is observed annually on Aug. 12, here's an encouraging glimpse into the national parks, sanctuaries and orphanages where elephants are free to roam, frolic and thrive. In the photo above, a pair of elephant calves frolic in the grasses of a wildlife sanctuary located in Sri Lanka's Udawalawe National Park.